Smith might visit USC in June
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It has been mentioned once or twice that USC's Deland McCullough is constantly busy with evaluating targets, traveling to different campuses and extending offers to tailbacks all across the country.
By our count, USC has now extended scholarship offers to 14 different tailbacks in the 2018 class. Jahmir Smith became the latest ball carrier to receive a scholarship offer from USC Saturday evening.
"I talked to Coach DMC a while back, around when Notre Dame offered me," Smith told TrojanSports.com. "It's just built up from there. I talked to him on the phone and he said it was a great fit. He thinks they have what I need academically and athletically."
Notre Dame offered Smith very early on in April, so USC has been in contact with this young tailback for quite some time. McCullough was eventually convinced the Trojans should offer after studying Smith's film.
"He watched my film over and over again," Smith said. "He talked to the staff and he offered the scholarship."
McCullough also visited Lee County HS in Sanford, N.C. before offering Smith on Saturday evening. Because of all that, Smith says he already has a solid relationship with McCullough.
"He's a cool dude, I can really relate to him," Smith said of the Trojan tailback coach.
The 6-foot and 199-pounder also points to the tradition at USC when asked about his interest in the program.
That might be why he's considering a visit in June.
"If I visit, it'll probably be towards the end of the month," Smith said.
Don't expect to see Smith perform on USC's campus though. He probably won't be at the Rising Stars Camp.
"They said I really don't need to come to the camp, just to see it," Smith said. "Because it's so far away, they just want to get me out to California."
That visit will be crucial for USC. If this staff wants USC to be among Smith's favorite schools, they have to host him soon and impress. That's because Smith already has his top schools in mind.
"I've kind of narrowed it down in my head a little bit but I haven't made a list," Smith said. "I'll probably make one in the next few weeks."
When asked if USC can make his list of favorites, Smith says he's unsure.
"I have to visit it first," Smith said when asked if USC will make the cut for him.
He reiterated that point when asked if USC has a real chance to sign him.
"It all depends if I visit California and how it feels to me.," Smith said.
Luckily for the Trojans, Smith seems pretty certain he'll make it out west to see USC's campus. Although he used the word "if" when describing his potential visit to USC earlier, when pressed, he sounds more confident he'll be in Los Angeles.
"I think it's definitely," Smith said when asked how certain he is that he'll visit USC.
As for other plans, Smith has only focused on schools close to him so far.
"I'll be camping at Clemson," Smith said. "I think I'm going June 14. Maybe UNC."
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